Microsoft has named Satya Nadella as its new CEO to replace departing Steve
Ballmer, also announcing that Bill Gates is stepping down from his role as
chairman of the MS board of directors, to be replaced by former Symantec CEO
John Thompson. Nadella is a 22 year vet at Microsoft, and word is that Gates
will work closely with the new CEO in a new technology adviser role. "I couldn't
be more honored to have been chosen to lead the company," Nadella said in a
statement. "The opportunity ahead for Microsoft is vast, but to seize it, we
must focus clearly, move faster and continue to transform." Here's a take on
this from
CNN Money:

Many think that Nadella is somewhat of a safe choice for
Microsoft. He is personable, and well-liked at Microsoft and within the
technology world at large. But he isn't bringing fresh perspective or any
outside influence.

In many ways, Microsoft's CEO search was bungled from the start. Ballmer failed
to groom an obvious replacement during his 13-year tenure as CEO, and he
announced his retirement with no successor in place. The CEO search was filled
with leaks to the press, particularly about the desire to hire Ford (F, Fortune
500) CEO Alan Mulally. But the board was seemingly unable to find an outside
candidate they could agree upon.

The choice of Nadella seems to be a signal that Microsoft wants to maintain the
status quo even though it is a company that many believe needs shaking
up.

Verno wrote on Feb 4, 2014, 13:19:He's an engineer who also grew their online services division from nothing to a billion dollar business despite facing large entrenched competitors. I don't see how he's unqualified or something.

I'm not saying he's unqualified, but if you're looking to change your company into something else, picking one of the old guard that's been there 20+ years isn't really how you go about doing that.

Panickd wrote on Feb 4, 2014, 14:22:Umm... the board had nothing to do with either Ballmer or Gates leaving. Gates has been very public in saying he wanted to take on more of an advisory role and spend more time on his foundation for the last couple years at least. And I'm thinking Ballmer has had his exit planned for a long while as well.

Yeah, and Ballmer quit because he "wanted to spend more time with his family" too, I'm guessing? If Ballmer planned his exit for several years, why was there no replacement being groomed?

Please. They both "left" (Gates is still staying on as a consultant) because of shareholder pressure, and in the end that's who the board answers to. I'm not saying they got directly fired or anything, but there was some pretty strong nudging.

mag wrote on Feb 4, 2014, 16:51:And they made Stephen Elop (the guy they sent to sabotage Nokia, so that they could buy it) the head of the Expanded Devices Division (which includes newly-purchased Nokia, Xbox, etc).

Seriously? Wasn't Elop the dude who suggested dismantling the Xbone division when the nu-CEO race just started? That is beautiful news if so because if they specifically put Elop in *that* position then it could mean that they are in fact seriously considering to take the fucking wrecking ball to da Xbone department with Elop at the controls.There are definitely not enough tissues in this world to do my jacking off justice if that plan of Elop's came to pass.

CJ_Parker wrote on Feb 4, 2014, 16:24:Oh, and everything and I mean e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g will be forgotten and forgiven if that Nutella clown shuts down the fucking Xbone division to refocus on PC Windows gaming. Honestly. I would try to crowdfund the most massively awesome blowjob this dude has ever gotten in his whole life if that became true. Like the Houston 620 with Nutella bro as Houston (well, and swap the guys for the gals... or maybe not if he doesn't want to... he straight or queer?).

CJ_Parker wrote on Feb 4, 2014, 16:24:Oh, and everything and I mean e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g will be forgotten and forgiven if that Nutella clown shuts down the fucking Xbone division to refocus on PC Windows gaming. Honestly. I would try to crowdfund the most massively awesome blowjob this dude has ever gotten in his whole life if that became true. Like the Houston 620 with Nutella bro as Houston (well, and swap the guys for the gals... or maybe not if he doesn't want to... he straight or queer?).

Please. Make it so.

Holy shit, someone is a little bitter as well as quite a bit anti-Microsoft.

Oh, and everything and I mean e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g will be forgotten and forgiven if that Nutella clown shuts down the fucking Xbone division to refocus on PC Windows gaming. Honestly. I would try to crowdfund the most massively awesome blowjob this dude has ever gotten in his whole life if that became true. Like the Houston 620 with Nutella bro as Houston (well, and swap the guys for the gals... or maybe not if he doesn't want to... he straight or queer?).

Creston wrote on Feb 4, 2014, 12:57:So the Board kicks out Ballmer AND Gates because they want to shake things up, then they pick this guy as CEO.

Ca plus ce change, etc.

Umm... the board had nothing to do with either Ballmer or Gates leaving. Gates has been very public in saying he wanted to take on more of an advisory role and spend more time on his foundation for the last couple years at least. And I'm thinking Ballmer has had his exit planned for a long while as well. He was never as passionate about Microsoft once Gates stepped away. He certainly wasn't going to stick around without ol' Bill to give him some cover.

They didn't want change. On the contrary they're looking for Microsoft to continue walking the path that it's on. They just want it to execute better.

ldonyo wrote on Feb 4, 2014, 13:45:The people that believe Microsoft needs shaking up are the analysts that would like to write about a shaken-up Microsoft. I don't hear of any complaints from shareholders.

Verno wrote on Feb 4, 2014, 12:14:They put Stephen Elop in charge of the devices division which includes the Xbox. So that probably means its here to stay unless he's covertly tanking it for a competitor like he did with Nokia.